Hidden Weapons United CH 3
^^^=Flashback / "Japanese" / ' Thought ' / :Chinese: / {English} / [written]
"Des-chan! Wake up!" Mousse shook Destine trying to get her to come around. "Please wake up!" He looked at her hands and saw the blood trickling from them. Looking more closely her also saw the large bruises that were forming. "Someone get me some ice." He turned to Kasumi. "Where can we put her?"
Kasumi looked at her father and nodded. "We can put her in one of the spare rooms for right now." She put a hand behind her head. "But why would she have passed out? She wasn't fighting that hard." She knelt down beside Mousse and Destine.
"She probably used up most of her energy already from traveling and for filling in for me today. My guess is that when her glasses got knocked off she had to use the last of her reserves to focus on attacking me. She's practically blind without her glasses. She must have utilized one of her other senses to be able to attack." He picked Destine up and followed Kasumi out of the dojo. She led him to a small room on the side of the house and pointed to the bed on the floor.
"You can put her there. I'll be back with the ice and some cold water."
Mousse jumped and stammered, "C-C-Cold water? No just get another ice pack to set on her head. Don't use water." He set Destine down on the bed and covered her up. "Hang in there." He walked over to the phone on the wall and dialed the number for the Cat Café.
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"Where Mousse go? I not mean to make him angry." Shampoo sat at one of the tables stirring her ramen. The phone rang and slowly she got up and answered it. "Nihao Cat caf...Mousse where are you?........Ranma house?.......Why you there?..........Destine hurt?.......I be right over." She hung up the phone and raced out the door. Around the side she got on her bike and headed to the Tendo dojo.
Cologne stood looking out her window. 'Good now that the potion has taken effect, she can't cause anymore trouble. Now I can get back to work.' She sat down and went to chopping up her herbs.
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Mousse hung up the phone just as Nabiki walked into the room. "Did you get the ice?" She handed him the ice packs and towels.
"Why couldn't we have just used cold water?" Nabiki asked.
Mousse whirled around. "Remember what happens when cold water is thrown on Ranma, Shampoo, or myself? The same thing happens to her. Wait! If my theory is correct..." He ran out of the room and filled up a pitcher of water. Just as he was walking back in he saw Nabiki leaning over Destine arranging the ice packs. "Please step back." He walked over and poured the pitcher of water onto Destine. Instantly she transformed into a mongoose. She shook out her fur and stretched. "It worked! My theory was correct." Mousse set the pitcher down and walked to the door.
Genma walked in and handed him a kettle of hot water. "Here. Hand it to Nabiki and leave the room."
Mousse handed the pitcher over to Nabiki and turned around. Nabiki sneered. "If you're going to stay in here at least remove your glasses so you really can't see." She turned back to Destine and poured the hot water on her.
"AAA! I hate this curse!" Destine grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around her. She stumbled and grabbed her head.
Mousse turned around. "Des-chan, are you all right?"
"Yeah except for a splitting headache. I felt it just before I passed out and now it's back." She sat down and rubbed her temples. "I don't know what caused it. I know I didn't use up the last of my energy reserves. Wait! The tea Shampoo gave me this morning. She said she made it with Cologne's help. It was supposed to wake me up. But when I tasted it there was something else in the tea. I couldn't place it because I wasn't fully awake. I think Cologne might have added something to the drink to do this to me. Last night I heard her muttering something about how I might ruin her plans." She looked down at the blanket. "Um could I get some fresh clothes?"
Nabiki nodded and left the room. Mousse walked up to her and gave her a hug. "I'm just happy you're all right. I thought I might have hurt you badly." He lifted up one of her hands and inspected it. "I think you should go see a doctor about your hands. I think they might be broken."
Destine lifted up her other hand and tried to move it. A searing pain shot through her hand and up her arm. "I think so too. But you weren't the one to hurt me. I got careless and didn't block the move correctly." She sat down in one of the chairs and Mousse started wrapping her hands. "Where is the nearest doctor?"
Mousse shrugged. "Beats me." He put a hand on her forehead. "Slight temperature. You're right, something was added to your tea. Your body wouldn't be reacting this way if it was just a headache."
Akane walked into the room carrying a kimono and slippers. "We weren't sure of your size so I got you something that fits practically anyone." She handed the kimono and slippers to Destine and made Mousse turn around. Destine undid the blanket and grabbed her undergarments. She slipped them on and Akane helped her put on the kimono. She tied it and slipped the slippers on Destine's feet. "I called the doctor and he said he can get you in around 1:30."
"Thanks. Mousse you can turn back around." She sat down again and looked at her hands. 'He's really good. With proper training he could defeat anyone.' She looked up and saw Mousse staring at her. "Have you ever thought of doing regular training along with hidden weapons? You could probably excel at both. Um Akane, what happened to my robe?"
Mousse pulled a bundle out of his sleeve. "Here's your stuff I picked it up before we came here. Everything's still in there."
Akane looked from Mousse to Destine. "What do you mean? Is she a hidden weapons expert too?"
Destine laughed. "I'm more of a stage magician than anything else. But yes I am a hidden weapons expert. Why else would I wear that robe?" She pointed to the bundle that Mousse was holding.
"I guess you've got a point there. But..."
Suddenly from the other room came shouting. "I hate cats! I hate cats!" A young girl ran into the room with a soaking wet cat attached to her. Mousse grabbed the cat and set it down. "Shampoo what happened?"
The girl looked around and saw the kettle of hot water. She poured it on herself and was transformed into a man. "She startled Kasumi who was carrying a jug of ice water. She dropped it and the water spilled on us." He turned to Destine. "Good fight. You feeling any better?"
Destine smiled. "Yeah thanks for asking. May I get your name?"
"It's Ranma. Nice to meet you uh um..."
"Destine."
"Destine right. It's nice to meet you Destine." Ranma smiled and grabbed Mousse by the arm. "Let's leave the girls alone for a while."
As soon as they were gone Akane picked up the kettle and poured the remainder of the water on the cat. The cat disappeared and was replaced by Shampoo. "Me no like be kitty cat. Ranma hate cats." She grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders. She sat down on the floor and looked up at Destine. "You better?"
"Yeah. I think you're grandmother put something in my tea."
"She say it help you have more energy. I thought it work."
"No it gave me a terrible headache and caused me to pass out."
"I sorry. I tell her that it no work on you."
Destine stood up and stretched. "Akane, what time is it right now?"
Akane looked at her watch. "About 1:10. We should get going."
Destine removed the kimono. "I think I'll wear my robe. Shampoo needs the kimono more than I do." She handed the kimono to Shampoo and pulled on her robe. Looking down at the bed she saw her pants and shoes. She quickly pulled them on. She handed the slippers to Shampoo. "Well I'm ready."
Shampoo pulled on the kimono and slippers. "I ready too. Who take us?"
"Shampoo, you're staying here. My father is driving us down there."
Shampoo frowned. "OK I stay."
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They reached the doctor's office at 1:25 and signed in. Around 1:35 a nurse called them back into the doctors office. She took Destines blood pressure and temperature. Jotting them down she started asking questions. "Where are you from? Who are your parents? How old are you? Who is your primary care provider? When did you last have a check up?"
Destine tried to answer all the questions to the best of her abilities. The nurse had just finished when the doctor walked into the room. "Hi, I'm Dr. Tofu. I hear you got yourself pretty banged up little lady. Mind if I take a look?" He unwrapped her hands and examined them. "I'm going to need to take an x-ray to see exactly what she did. Follow me please." He lead Destine to the x-ray room and had her place her hands down on the table. "Just wait here while I take the x-ray. Be sure not to move OK?"
Destine heard the x-ray take the pictures and Dr. Tofu walked up and lead her back to the room. "The pictures will be ready in a couple minutes. Tell me, how did you do this?"
Destine related the story back to him about sparring and how her staff broke and how she had been kicked and sent flying across the room. She had just finished when the nurse walked in with the x-rays. Dr. Tofu put them up and switched on the light. "I don't see any broken bones. But I do see that both of her wrists have been dislocated." He took her wrists and set them back into place. He then wrapped them and put a brace on each wrist. "Wear these for a couple of days. And no fighting." He smiled and lead them back to the waiting room. Destine pulled out some money and paid the fees.
As they were walking out to the car Akane looked at Destine. "You're really 18?"
"Yep. Turned 18 last year."
"I thought you were the same age as Mousse."
Destine smiled and got in the car. "How old is he?"
"16."
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THREE WEEKS LATER
Destine sat down on her bed and dried her hair. 'That was a mean joke.'
Shampoo walked into the room and cocked her head. "Why you wet?"
"Mousse snuck up behind me and dumped a bucket of water on my head." She laughed. "I should have expected something like that from him. It is April first after all." She pulled on a short sleeved shirt and a pair of leggings. She brushed her hair and turned to Shampoo. "So has he pulled a joke on you yet?"
Shampoo shook her head. "No but I do funny joke to him. I booby trap his room. He step in, cold water, next step hot. It go on like this for while ending in hot." She giggled. "So what you do to get back?"
Destine stretched and pulled on her shoes. "I'm thinking about it. Come on we have to get ready for the lunch time rush." She walked out the door and down the stairs.
She had been living with Shampoo and Cologne for the past three weeks. Cologne gave her a job as a cook/bus person and gave her a pretty good wage. She and Shampoo had become close friends and spent quite a bit of time hanging out before work. Mousse had become Destine's closest companion over the past few weeks. Whenever Cologne was mean to Mousse Destine would go and comfort him. After her wrists were healed she and Mousse would go down to the dojo after work and spar. Most of the time they would end in a draw because they could guess each others moves.
Destine smiled and bowed to Cologne. "Is there anything I can do?"
Cologne narrowed her eyes at her. "Clean up outside. Then you can help Mousse with the dishes."
"Fine." Destine grabbed the broom and dust pan. She stepped outside and straightened up. "There. All finished." She was about to head inside when she saw a young man carrying a boken walking towards her. He stopped in front of her and bowed.
"Where can I find the fighter named Destine?"
"Um, my name is Destine. Why do you need to find her?"
The man leaned forward. "Oh sorry, I thought you were a man. Oh well, I'll just find someone who is worthy of fighting me."
He started to turn away when Destine grabbed his arm. "Who are you? And what do you mean worthy? Just because I'm a girl means that I'm not as good as you?"
"My name is Tatewaki Kuno the Blue Thunder of Furakin High School. You are a girl. I cannot fight you. I would hurt you."
"Yeah right." Destine grinned and a small fang showed on the left side of her mouth. She picked up the broom and launched Kuno into the air. "Well nice meeting you baka." Destine turned and walked back into the restaurant. 'The nerve of that guy.' She set the broom and dust pan back in their place and walked into the kitchen. She stepped up behind Mousse and waited until he set down the dish he was washing. She placed her hands over his eyes and, mimicking Shampoo's voice, said. "Guess who?"
Mousse spun around and grabbed Destine around the waist. "Oh my darling Shampoo. I'm so glad you've decided to change your mind about me." He leaned forward and kissed Destine on the lips.
Destine pulled back and wriggled out of his grasp. "Happy April Fools Day Mousse. Put on your glasses."
Mousse slipped his glasses back on and gawked. "Destine? Oh I'm so sorry. I thought you were Shampoo. Please forgive me." He grabbed her hands. "Please forgive me."
Destine laughed. "Yeah, Shampoo suddenly grew to be 5'8" in less than two hours. It's OK. I was wondering how to get you back for that bucket of cold water. Cologne told me to come in and help you with the dishes." She walked over to the sink and looked at the dishes.
Mousse stepped up behind her and turned her around. "Where are your glasses?"
"I'm wearing contacs. I started wearing them when I became an illusionist. There are some tricks that I could not do when wearing my glasses. I went to the doctor and he prescribed contacts for me. I have been wearing them more often because the doctor told me that if I continue to wear my glasses with my eye condition I will continue to lose my eyesight until I am completely blind. The contacts stop the process." She grinned and splashed some of the dish water on Mousse. "We need to hurry. The lunch time rush will be here soon."
"OK." Together they got the work done in a couple of minutes. Mousse dried the last of the dishes and put it away. "I guess I should get out there and clean the tables. Sorry again about the kiss." He blushed. "I couldn't tell who you were."
Destine laughed. "So you will kiss anyone on the street if you don't know who they are?" She walked over and patted his shoulder. "It's OK Mousse." She leaned close to him and whispered in his ear. "Be sure to close the door when you step into your room."
The bell on the restaurant door rang. "Aiyaa. I'm late." Mousse grabbed his tray and rushed out of the kitchen. 'What does she mean close the door? Could she be planning something?' Mousse smiled at the conversation they had had while washing the dishes. Destine had told him about her travels doing work as a street magician. His favorite part was when she had told him about tripping over one of the cords in her old robe and spilling all the contents of her sleeves onto the street. He laughed to himself as he cleaned up the tables.
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Destine looked through the kitchen door watching Mousse rush around. She sighed and turned back to the stove where she was boiling some water. Cologne was at the table chopping up herbs and spices that were to be added to the water as soon as it went to a boil. Destine walked over to Cologne and sat down. "Do you need any help with that?"
"No. Get ready for the orders. Here's some of the herbs. Put them in the water."
Destine nodded and scooped up the pile of dried herbs. She put them in the boiling water and covered the pot with a lid. She turned around to see Shampoo walk in with three order slips. "Here. I go back to get more."
Destine took the slips and looked them over. On each slip there were three orders for ramen and something scrawled in Chinese. She got out nine bowls and set them down near the stove. She poured in the noodles and covered the pot. Walking over to Cologne she said. "There's something scrawled on here that I can't read. Can you tell me what it is?"
Cologne looked closely at the slips and grinned. They're names. Don't worry about it. Just keep up with the ramen." She grabbed her staff and left the room.
'Weird. Even for her.' Destine walked over to the pot and dished up nine bowls of ramen. She put them on three trays and rang the bell by the door. Shampoo walked in and grabbed one of the trays. Soon she came back for the other two. As soon as she was done she set some order slips on the table and stood by the door. Destine picked them up and dished out the appropriate amounts for each order. Shampoo took them and soon came back with more orders. Destine sighed and put on another pot of water.
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Mousse finished cleaning the last table and sat down. 'Who are these people? Cologne seems happy to see them.' His thoughts were cut short as Destine walked out with a bowl of ramen and set it in front of him.
"Here's your lunch." She walked back into the kitchen and came out with a bowl of steaming rice and some soy sauce. She sat down and picked up a pair of chopsticks. "You all right?" She looked at Mousse as she poured some soy sauce onto her rice.
Mousse snapped back to attention and smiled. "I was just wondering who those people over there were." He started eating his ramen. "Probably some old acquaintances of Cologne's."
He adjusted his glasses. "Wait a second. I recognize one of them. She's one of the village elders from when I lived in China." He pointed to a wrinkled old woman sitting across from Cologne. "She's one of the ones who made me an outcast."
Destine looked over and raised an eyebrow. "Why did he make you an outcast?" She grabbed some of the rice and put it in her mouth.
"Where I came from, men were supposed to stay home and raise the children. We were not allowed to learn to fight."
"So you lived in an Amazon village."
"Yes, and since I loved Shampoo I wanted desperately to marry her. The only way I could do that since she turned me down would be if I beat her in battle. I began training in the hidden weapons technique. The elders discovered it and confronted my teacher. He refused to stop teaching me and so the elders put it to a vote. I was able to continue training but I could never take part in anything. I was made an outcast. For years I was the village punching bag. Girls would come up, beat the crap out of me and walk off. I never fought back for two reasons. One, if I beat one of them I'd have to marry her. And two, I was too polite to fight back." He sighed and went back to his ramen. "This is good. Your recipe?"
Destine nodded. "Yeah I had to put on a second pot and Cologne had left to talk with those guys, so I added my own ingredients. I used to make ramen for my senseid."
Destine looked down and saw that she had finished off her rice. Mousse finished up his ramen and picked up the dishes. "I'm going to wash these." He walked off to the kitchen.
Destine was about to get up when Cologne came over to her. "Come with me." Destine stood up and followed after her. Cologne stopped in front of the table where she had been talking with that group of people. "Elders, this is Destine. She is the one I plan on having marrying Mousse."
Destine jumped back. "M-m-marry?"